Reading Stephen Sondheim: A Collection of Critical Essays (Studies in Modern Drama) [Paperback]

Sandor Goodhart (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 081533768X | ISBN-13: 978-0815337683 | Publication Date: December 3, 1999

Stephen Sondheim is arguably the most important writer for the American musical stage today, the equivalent in his field of Miller, Albee, O'Neill, and Williams. Yet he has rarely been treated seriously within the academy. Reading Stephen Sondheim: A Collection of Critical Essays is an attempt to remedy that situation. Bringing together scholars and critics from a wide variety of literary and theoretical perspectives, this book undertakes to examine all of Sondheim's major productions and themes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The authors do employ an impressive array of methodologies to analyze and interpret Sondheim's oeuvre.
–Judith Sebesta, University of Arizona

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (December 3, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081533768X
• ISBN-13: 978-0815337683
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,316,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "INTO THE WORDS", May 31, 2000

By 

Gary D. Girton Jr. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reading Stephen Sondheim: A Collection of Critical Essays (Studies in Modern Drama) (Paperback)

Being but another worshipper at the alter of Stephen Sondheim, I was eager to read anything about him which went beyond your typical stage review.

This book was given to me as a gift and I eagerly opened it hoping to find hidden treasure about Sondheim and his work.

The book was not quite what I expected and at the same time EXACTLY what I expected. What Goodhart promises in the introduction, he delivers - a serious delving into the works of Sondheim, treating his musicals as literature. What I didn't expect was just how thoroughly the writers (Goodhart employs several essayists) would analyze character and plot.

One essay that comes to mind is one written on "Sweeney Todd." I really thought I knew as much as there was to know about this masterwork - WRONG. The essayist gives great detail into the psychological make-up of these characters...much more information that a layman or actor like myself can begin to understand. At times the analysis was clinical I had to back up and re-read the passage to get a grasp on what was being explored.

I've decided that the book will provide a wonderful reference to keep on my shelf for my own work on Sondheim musicals, but for simple pleasure reading, this book may not be appropriate unless you have your PHD.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars not really worth getting, October 18, 2001

By 

spacedog "spacedog7" (boston, ma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reading Stephen Sondheim: A Collection of Critical Essays (Studies in Modern Drama) (Paperback)

not bad, but not as entertaining as sondheim: a casebook. some of the analyses were quite obtuse (e.g. the lacanian analysis of sweeney todd and the argument that passion is about sondheim's relationship with his mother). i thought one of the more interesting essays was the first one about passion, but there weren't many others that were particularly relevant or insightful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "Reading Stephen Sondheim: A Collection of Critical Essays", January 24, 2012

By 

loopycoopy3 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reading Stephen Sondheim: A Collection of Critical Essays (Studies in Modern Drama) (Paperback)

I ordered this book as a possible source for an essay on the works on Stephen Sondheim, unsure of what I'd find. What the book contained was exactly what it says: essays on the works of Stephen Sondheim. The essays varied from those concerning only one musical (the first six essays) to others which discussed over arching themes in his canon (the latter six essays). That being said, having had some previous experience with the plays (reading them, seeing them, knowing the stories, etc.) is necessary. This is not a history of Stephen Sondheim's works. It is an in-depth look at them. Finally, an analysis of Sondheim's works paralleling the analytical work done for all the other great playwrights of the twentieth century! The book covers most of Sondheim's composer-lyricist career in musical theater up to the mid-1990s. It does not include analysis of West Side Story, Do I Hear a Waltz?, Bounce/Road Show, or Gypsy. All that being said, it is a great book for Sondheim aficionados, dramaturgs, and Sondheim fans.